fundamental VR
by Fundamental VR
· Based in United Kingdom →
— Immersive Technology to Accelerate Human Excellence
Overview
Fundamental VR offers an AI-powered medical training platform that combines virtual reality (VR) and haptic feedback to create immersive surgical simulations. This technology allows medical professionals to practice complex procedures in a realistic, risk-free environment.
- What it does: The platform, known as Fundamental Surgery, provides VR environments where users can visualize 3D anatomical models and interact with virtual patients using haptic feedback, simulating the sense of touch and resistance encountered during actual surgery. It integrates AI to offer real-time data assessments, predict surgical behavior, and provide guidance during the VR experience.
- Who it is for: Fundamental VR is designed for surgeons, medical students, and other healthcare professionals across various specialties, including ophthalmology, urology, and robotics. It is utilized in academic institutions, medical device companies, and healthcare organizations for training and skill development.
- How it fits a clinical or practice workflow: The platform facilitates repeatable practice of procedures, allowing users to refine technical skills, improve hand-eye coordination, and enhance decision-making without patient risk. It supports remote and collaborative training through multi-user functionality, enabling teams to practice together in virtual operating rooms. The system also provides performance analytics and metrics to track learning and assess competency.
- Notable capabilities: Key features include patented HapticVR technology for realistic tactile feedback, AI-driven predictive insights for performance analysis, and the ability to deploy simulations across various interactive mediums, including standalone VR headsets for remote access. It also supports the creation of custom simulation modules and digital twins.
Reviewed by Pouyan Golshani, MD — Interventional Radiologist
Key Features
- Virtual Reality (VR) immersive experiences
- Mixed Reality (MR) for live skills support and procedural walkthroughs
- Augmented Reality (AR) for digital training layers
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) for deeper learning
- Haptics for physical feedback
- Advanced Insights Platform for tracking usage and measuring learning
- Realistic Anatomy simulations
- Collaborative training capabilities
- Enterprise-Grade Security
- Deployment to any interactive medium (immersive, app, web)
Use Cases
- Robotic training
- Ophthalmic skills training
- Injection training
- Gene therapy surgical technique training
- Urology training with digital twins and virtual ORs
- Knowledge acquisition and skills development in the medical sector
What Physicians Need to Know
Voice Input
While FundamentalVR's primary use is surgical training, VR platforms generally support voice input for navigation and interaction. Voice commands can enhance immersion and accessibility, allowing users to control elements without traditional controllers. This could potentially be used for hands-free interaction with administrative interfaces within a VR environment, if such features were developed by FundamentalVR for non-clinical tasks. For example, some VR browsers allow users to use the microphone on their VR headset to perform searches, eliminating the need for typing.
Image Generation capabilities
Fundamental XR (the broader entity of FundamentalVR) has launched an AI-powered Anatomy Inference Engine (AIE) that generates realistic, simulation-ready 3D anatomical models in minutes. This technology allows clinicians and researchers to input parameters like patient age, sex, body size, and disease conditions to create customized anatomical models. This is a significant image generation capability, though it's specialized for anatomical models rather than general image generation.
Web Search (real-time or limited?)
While FundamentalVR itself is a training platform, the broader VR ecosystem allows for web browsing. VR headsets can be used to access web browsers, which can provide real-time internet access. Apps like Virtual Desktop and Fluid enable users to stream their PC desktop into VR, allowing for web browsing and other desktop activities within the virtual environment.
Confabulation/Hallucination Risk level
FundamentalVR utilizes AI for predictive insights and performance assessment in surgical training, tracking user gestures with high accuracy (up to 98.5%). Their AI Tutor provides guidance and calculates users' risk levels in real-time. In general, AI systems, especially large language models, can 'hallucinate' (generate entirely fabricated information) or 'confabulate' (fill gaps with plausible but invented information). In healthcare AI, these risks are serious and can lead to patient safety issues if not carefully managed. FundamentalVR's AI is focused on analyzing performance within defined simulation parameters, which inherently limits the scope for general confabulation compared to open-ended generative AI. However, any AI output in healthcare requires human oversight.
Desktop & Mobile Apps
FundamentalVR's platform is designed to be compatible with various VR headsets and laptops. They offer standalone VR simulation deployments for portable VR solutions and also provide experiences for browsers or native mobile and tablet applications. The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) offers a VR Education App developed in partnership with FundamentalVR, which can be downloaded from the Meta Store on VR headsets.
Third-Party Integrations (Canva, Zapier, Slack, etc.)
FundamentalVR's platform, Fundamental Surgery, is described as a 'hardware agnostic open platform' and has partnerships with robotics experts like Haply Robotics to enhance haptic feedback. While specific integrations with general productivity tools like Canva, Zapier, or Slack are not explicitly mentioned for non-clinical tasks, the platform's focus is on integrating with medical devices and pharmaceutical partners for training programs. The use of cloud-based analytics and SaaS delivery suggests potential for data integration, but direct integrations with common non-clinical tools are not highlighted.
Prompt Engineering Tips
Given FundamentalVR's specialized focus on surgical training and the AI's role in performance assessment and 3D model generation, prompt engineering would likely revolve around defining specific patient parameters, disease conditions, and procedural scenarios for the Anatomy Inference Engine. For general AI assistants, effective prompt engineering involves clear, concise instructions, specifying desired formats, and providing context to minimize ambiguity and reduce the risk of confabulation. In a VR training context, this would translate to precise inputs for scenario customization and data analysis requests.
Data Privacy for physicians
Data privacy is paramount in healthcare VR applications due to the collection of sensitive patient data, including biometric information. FundamentalVR, as a healthcare technology company, would need to adhere to strict regulations like HIPAA. Key measures for data privacy include encrypting all information during transit and storage, secure storage, role-based access controls, multi-factor authentication, and regular audits of VR platforms. VR systems can collect extensive user data, including physiological data like eye movements and gait, which raises unique privacy concerns.
Physician Tip
When using FundamentalVR for any non-clinical tasks (if such functionalities become available), physicians should prioritize understanding the data privacy protocols, especially concerning any patient-identifiable information. Always verify AI-generated content, particularly if it pertains to patient care or administrative decisions, to mitigate the risks of hallucination or confabulation. Leverage any voice input capabilities for hands-free efficiency, but be mindful of the accuracy and context of voice commands. For file uploads, be aware of supported types and size limits, and ensure sensitive data is handled in compliance with HIPAA and other relevant regulations.
FundamentalVR's primary integrations are focused on enhancing its surgical training platform with haptic devices and partnerships with medical device and pharmaceutical companies. While the platform is hardware-agnostic for VR devices, direct integrations with general non-clinical productivity tools like Canva, Zapier, or Slack are not a highlighted feature of their core offering. Any such integrations for non-clinical tasks would likely be custom-developed or rely on broader VR ecosystem capabilities rather than specific FundamentalVR features.
Details
| Category | General Productivity (AI Assistants), Medical Education & Training |
| Pricing | Unknown — unknown |
| Deployment | Cloud, On-premise |
| Mobile App | 1 |
| Data Export | Unknown |
| Languages | English |
| Training | Unknown |
| Target Size | Enterprise |
| Compliance | |
| BAA Available | Unknown AI-estimated |
| HIPAA Compliant | Unknown AI-estimated |
| FDA Status | Unknown AI-estimated — unknown |
| Integrations | |
| EHR | Not specified |
| Specialties | General Surgery, Neurosurgery, Orthopedics |
Social Proof
| Customers | 200+ |
| Notable | Healthcare institutions across 50+ countries |
Support & Reliability
| Training Provided | Unknown |
What the Web Says
FundamentalVR is a highly-regarded platform that uses virtual reality (VR) and haptic feedback to provide realistic surgical and medical training. It's praised by healthcare professionals for its immersive, hands-on approach, which allows trainees to refine skills in a safe, controlled environment. The platform aims to revolutionize medical education by offering a scalable and cost-effective alternative to traditional training methods like cadavers.
Overall: PositiveStrengths
- Realistic medical training experience with haptic feedback.
- Allows healthcare professionals to train in a safe and controlled virtual environment.
- Helps refine skills without risk to real patients.
- Offers global collaboration features.
- Cost-effective compared to traditional training methods like cadavers.
- Provides data and analytics on performance to guide training.
Limitations
- Can have a significant learning curve in the initial phase.
- VR headsets can be heavy and uncomfortable for extended use.
- Some users on Reddit express general VR concerns like motion sickness, discomfort, and technical issues with VR headsets.
- The technology alone isn't enough to magically transform a layperson into a professional doctor.
- Potential for integration issues with existing electronic health record systems.
- Lack of substantial evidence supporting the clinical efficacy of AR-assisted procedures (though FundamentalVR focuses on VR).
Based on reviews from: G2, Gizmodo, PCMag, ZDNET, 3DPrint.com, UploadVR, YouTube, PMC, Frontiers, Quora, Reddit, Capterra, MTEC, Auganix.org, The Guardian
Last updated: 2026-08-02
Ratings & Reviews
Rate fundamental VR
Press & Coverage
Edge VC
Fundamental VR named leading medical device startups to watch
Fundamental VR was recognized as one of the top medical device startups to watch, based on investor feedback gathered by Sifted. The company is focused on powering the future of surgical and medical training globally through its innovative VR solutions.
2023-06
Design News
New Haptic Platform Lets Surgeons Feel in VR
Fundamental VR integrated HaptX Gloves into its Fundamental Surgery platform, allowing surgeons to experience a sense of touch in VR medical training simulations. This partnership aims to provide a more immersive and realistic training experience by mimicking the tactile sensation of real surgical tools and tissues.
2019-03
Auganix.org
FundamentalVR raises $20M to grow its surgical VR platform
FundamentalVR secured an additional $20 million in funding to accelerate medical skill-transfer and enhance surgical proficiency through its Fundamental Surgery platform. This investment, led by EQT Life Sciences, brings the company's total funding to over $30 million.
2022-08
Cancerworld
Expert cancer surgery: could VR help speed up and standardise training?
Fundamental VR offers a virtual reality education platform that supports surgical learning in an immersive virtual surgical environment. The platform provides real-time feedback and allows trainers to remotely observe and guide trainees, which is particularly beneficial for cancer surgery training.
2023-03
PR Newswire
New VR Solution to Democratize Ophthalmic Surgical Training: Affordable, Portable and Scalable
Orbis International and FundamentalVR launched a new immersive VR training solution for ophthalmic surgery, specifically designed for low- and middle-income countries. This affordable and portable tool aims to make cataract surgical training more accessible globally.
2024-04
Road to VR
FundamentalVR Raises $5.6M Investment to Further Develop VR Surgery Training Tools
FundamentalVR closed a u00a34.3 million (~$5.6 million) Series A funding round to advance its surgical training and data analysis platform, Fundamental Surgery. The investment, led by Downing Ventures, included participation from medical institutions like the Mayo Clinic.
2019-10
Robotics 24/7
FundamentalVR Simulates Soft Tissue With Haptics for Medical Education
FundamentalVR announced additions to its Fundamental Surgery platform that enable the simulation of soft tissue with full force-feedback kinesthetic haptics. This advancement allows surgeons to manipulate and feel the texture of anatomy as if in a real operating room, accelerating skills acquisition.
2021-08
Journal of Academic Ophthalmology
The Use and Perceptions of Virtual Reality Simulator Training for Ophthalmological Surgical Education
A study on VR simulator training for ophthalmological surgical education found that most participants agreed or strongly agreed that it decreased resident complications and surgical time. Fundamental VR was mentioned as one of the VR simulator providers.
2026-04
Videos
Product demos, reviews, and walkthroughs for fundamental VR.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Fundamental VR refers to virtual reality platforms designed for medical training and procedural rehearsal. It allows physicians to practice complex procedures, improve surgical skills, and enhance diagnostic accuracy in a risk-free, simulated environment, ultimately aiming to improve patient outcomes and efficiency.
Integrating fundamental VR typically involves setting up the hardware and software, which can be done with minimal disruption. Compliance requirements usually revolve around data privacy (e.g., HIPAA for patient data if applicable in advanced simulations), software licensing, and ensuring the VR content is evidence-based and regularly updated.
Alternatives include cadaver labs, high-fidelity mannequins, and traditional didactic teaching. While cadaver labs offer realism, they are expensive and have limited availability. Mannequins provide tactile feedback but lack the immersive and diverse scenario capabilities of VR. VR often presents a more cost-effective and scalable solution for repetitive training and exposure to rare conditions.
Pricing for fundamental VR systems can vary significantly. Many platforms offer subscription models, which include software updates and access to a library of modules, while others may have one-time purchase options for hardware and specific training modules. Costs can range from a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars depending on the complexity and scope.
Current limitations can include the fidelity of haptic feedback, the breadth of available scenarios for highly specialized procedures, and the initial investment cost. Future advancements are expected in more realistic haptics, AI-driven adaptive learning, personalized training modules, and integration with real patient data for pre-surgical planning.
To maximize engagement, it's crucial to integrate VR training into continuing medical education requirements and demonstrate its direct relevance to improving patient care and physician skills. Providing dedicated time for training, offering a variety of modules, and incorporating gamification elements can also boost utilization and learning outcomes.
While fundamental VR is widely recognized for surgical training, its applications extend beyond. It is increasingly used for diagnostic training, such as interpreting medical images in a 3D environment, and for practicing patient communication skills, especially in sensitive or complex scenarios, by simulating realistic patient interactions.
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| Last Verified: 2026-08-03 | First Added: 2026-08-02
Investors who backed fundamental VR
Funded through the company that built this tool.
